Another gas and dash death in Ontario, this one Saturday night in the GTA when a suspect fueled his beige or silver Isuzu Rodeo (2000-2003) to the tune of $112.85 and then fled without paying. The Shell attendant, 44 yr old married father Jayesh Prajapati was killed trying to stop him. He clung to the speeding vehicle. Cause of death was blunt force trauma.

2ND DEGREE MURDER

The suspect has been identified as Max Edwin Tutiven, 39, and when apprehended will be charged with 2nd degree murder. According to police Mr. Tutiven has a long string of convictions including assault, multiple driving offences, and theft. He was also named as a suspect in a peeping-tom investigation near the U. of T. 6 years ago. Authorities think he might be heading for Montreal. He is pictured below.

Shell Canada has issued a statement saying that under no circumstances should employees put themselves in harm's way. Who knows what caused Jayesh Prajapati to act as he did? Perhaps a sense of duty, an idea of right from wrong or maybe he felt he was just doing his job....all qualities apparently absent from the suspect.

Seven years ago in B.C., a 25 yr old gas station attendant, Grant De Patie lost his life similiarly involving a teenaged dasher and over only $12 in gasoline. That province ushered in “Grant's Law”, legislation ensuring protective measures for retail employees who work alone at night. Now, EVERY pump is prepay, plus employers stepped up staff training and installed better physical protections. Certainly the prepay in Ontario is an instant fix, and something the retailers can volunteer to do without legislation being debated and dragged through the house.

In Mississauga last year, a 62 yr old Petro-Canada attendant was killed trying to stop a driver who attempted leaving without paying. I guess it took another death to get Daddy Dalton's attention. He does appear to be busy saving the whales at Marineland.

I know some will bemoan the high price of fuel as a contributing factor. Partly yes, but mostly no. A thief is a thief. A low life is a low life. While the rules of society state we work hard and pay for what we need, others believe the rules don't apply to them. Whoever did this would probably steal anything from anyone. It just happened to be gasoline, and the results were tragic. Condolences to the family and quick apprehension of the one responsible.

As quickly as tomorrow, ALL pumps could be prepay. Let's get that done. LEAVE COMMENTS.

For other Larry Fedoruk blogs and features, click here.